The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to to give blood in August and help meet the constant need for blood products by patients. Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
Summer is an especially difficult time to collect enough blood to meet the needs of hospital patients. Despite travel and other activities that may cause some donors to be less available to give, the Red Cross must collect 15,000 blood donations every day to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country.
With more summer days ahead, every blood donation is important in helping ensure blood is available for patients in need, and volunteer donors are the only source of blood for those who need it. Donors of all blood types — especially those with types AB, O negative, A negative and B negative — are needed to help ensure blood products are available to hospital patients this summer.
To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800- 733-2767).
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in the Midcoast area include:
— Bath: 1-6 p.m. Aug. 12, Knights of Columbus, 807 Middle St.
— Bowdoinham: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 4, Bowdoinham Town Hall, 13 School St.
— Freeport: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 3, Freeport Community Center, 53 Depot St.; 1- 6 p.m. Aug. 13, Pine Tree Academy, 67 Pownal Road
— Richmond: 1:30-6:30 p.m., Aug. 4 Richmond American Legion, 10 Carding Machine Road
— Topsham: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aug. 9, Smitty’s Cinema, 65 Topsham Fair Road; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aug. 13, 11 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 260
To donate blood, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800- RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
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